USO Volunteer Brings New Life to USO Sports & Fitness Program

Aging can bring about those mysterious aches and pains, cracking knees, and swollen joints that caught us off guard. Even people who stay active and healthy often find themselves dealing with these changes over time. At USO Andersen and USO Tumon Bay, these challenges are being met with support, connection, and innovative wellness programming led by dedicated volunteers like Heather Gibson Muder. Like many others, Heather was told that this was just “part of getting older” and that she’d need to get used to it. But Heather took those words and turned them into motivation to discover a therapy that helps her feel her best, no matter her age.

Heather spent 15 years working as a certified personal trainer and now focuses on mobility training to help reduce those pesky aches and pains. Often, these discomforts come from how we hold our bodies over the years and how joint limitations can cause muscles to tighten up if they aren’t stretched or released properly. Improving joint mobility helps us move more easily, expand our range of motion, and loosen tension. Heather is now a volunteer at USO Andersen and leads a mobility class to connect with her military community and hopefully support others who are on the same journey she was once on.

She loves hearing stories from those who attend her classes. For example, a spouse who recently moved to the island told her that the mobility session was the highlight of her week, sharing that she even marks it in pen on her calendar so nothing else would get in the way.

Mobility might not be widely known in the fitness world, but thanks to USO Andersen, Heather has a chance to share its importance with service members and their families. Participants often leave saying things like, “That’s just what I needed,” “My back doesn’t hurt anymore,” or “My hip moves better now.” These comments bring a deep sense of fulfillment and serve as meaningful, tangible evidence that Heather’s mobility classes are making a positive impact in her community.

Her mobility classes are designed with beginners in mind, making them accessible to everyone regardless of experience. Since factors like hydration, inflammation, and activity levels can affect how you feel during the exercises, it’s best to listen to your body and focus on what you need. Heather stresses the importance of listening to your own body without comparing yourself to others in the class.

For Heather, building connections and serving her community are very important. Volunteering at USO Andersen helps her connect with service members and their families, especially during times when people might feel isolated or overwhelmed by moving. She started her volunteer journey with USO Andersen in September 2023 and has completed 1,000 beyond impactful volunteer hours since then. This new Sports & Fitness program is just one of the many meaningful contributions Heather has made for our center.